New Zealand begins worldwide search for national coach

New Zealand has begun a worldwide search for a new national cricket coach to replace John Bracewell.

Although Bracewell's term does not end for nine months, when he will rejoin the English county Gloucestershire, applications for his role close Aug. 4.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Thursday his organization hoped for interest from "suitably qualified candidates from throughout the world."

"We are looking for candidates who have the experience and drive to both improve the Black Caps in both forms of the game," Vaughan said. "We have a very good core group of players and the new coach should be looking to develop a side that will regularly win world events in the one-day arena as well as improving their test performances."

Vaughan said the coach needed to be able to build on the existing foundation and "take it to the new level."

New Zealand is regularly ranked in the top four teams in limited-overs cricket but has never made the final of the World Cup, the showpiece event in the 50-over format, despite making the semifinals in five of the nine editions.

The New Zealanders upset Australia in a limited-overs series ahead of the 2007 World Cup, but then lost in the World Cup semifinals as the Australians went on to claim the title for the third consecutive time.